Jay-Z re-releases imaginary players video after Cardi B revamp sparks renewed interest in classic track

Jay-Z re-releases Imaginary Players video on YouTube after Cardi B’s version reignites attention.

Jay-Z has re-released the official music video for his 1997 track “Imaginary Players” on YouTube, following renewed interest in the diss record after Cardi B sampled it for her upcoming album Am I The Drama?. The video resurfaced on Saturday (August 30), quickly spreading across social media, though Jay-Z has yet to comment on the release.

Originally aimed at Ma$e, “Imaginary Players” sampled Rene & Angela’s 1981 track “Imaginary Playmates.” The song, part of Jay-Z’s second album In My Lifetime Vol. 1, draws a line between authentic hustlers and pretenders. While the album received mixed reviews in 1997, the track has endured as a classic, often revisited in freestyles by artists like Mickey Factz, Big K.R.I.T., and Styles P.

Cardi B’s reinterpretation brought the track renewed attention earlier this month, helping push In My Lifetime Vol. 1 back onto the charts. Jay-Z personally approved Cardi’s use of the track for her forthcoming sophomore album, due in September, which will also feature singles like “WAP,” “Up,” and “Outside.”

The timing of the re-release has also fueled speculation about Jay-Z working on new material. Memphis Bleek, his longtime protégé, recently revealed on Drink Champs that Hov is back in the studio, even leaving an open verse for him. Jay later confirmed the update.

Fans welcomed the resurfaced video with humor and nostalgia. “Finally Jay Z remember his account password,” one YouTube commenter joked. Another added, “Knew Jay-Z cleared the Cardi B version so people could revisit this classic. He ain’t slick.”

Whether tied to new music plans or simply a nod to his legacy, Jay-Z’s move underscores how “Imaginary Players” continues to resonate nearly three decades later.